For the Comer Bien blog series, NCLR has asked several of our partners and Affiliates to reflect on the issues raised by families in the video vignettes. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author and our Affiliate, La Clínica del Pueblo of Washington, DC, one of five organizations with whom NCLR partnered for the Comer Bien video and storybanking project.
By Alicia Wilson, Executive Director, La Clínica del Pueblo
The patients who walk through the doors of La Clínica del Pueblo every day have many mountains to climb. Most of our patients are Limited English Proficient (LEP) and work two or three low-wage jobs. Many are supporting two families—one here and one back in their home country. A large percentage of our patients lack health insurance. Without the support of a community health center, some of those mountains might just seem too high for folks to overcome.
In our health center, we understand where our patients are coming from and use this cultural competency to help our patients reach healthier outcomes. This is especially challenging and complex in the areas of nutrition and obesity. We see that tight schedules force hardworking parents to have quick meals and feed their children cheap food, regardless of its nutritional value. Although Latino immigrants may be accustomed to easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables back in their home countries, in the U.S. they often lack time and adequate resources to cook a healthy meal for their families. Every day in our clinic we see children who are suffering the consequences of malnutrition and are obese. We also see the interrelation between nutrition, obesity, and chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Our task is to help patients understand the role that nutrition plays in their health and to connect them with all possible resources to improve their outcomes—and even better, to prevent the onset of chronic illnesses.
Rosa, featured in the video, is mom to one of La Clínica’s youngest patients with obesity problems. Dr. Kolko, her family physician, has been a key ally in helping her understand her son’s nutritional needs and how to modify his diet. This counseling is provided with an understanding of Rosa’s limited time and resources. Rosa is fortunate that the economic challenges she faces to nourish her baby boy are somewhat alleviated with the help of WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. At La Clínica we help our patients navigate the complexities of the system. Our entitlement workers are able to assist eligible patients to enroll in and receive WIC, Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps, and other social services. In addition to this, Rosa receives supportive services from a network of health care professionals who help the whole family adopt healthier nutrition habits.
At La Clínica del Pueblo, a Federally Qualified Health Center, we strive to provide health care services of the highest quality which are culturally competent for immigrant families, regardless of their ability to pay. We understand and relate to the barriers that Latinos face and help them navigate through their medical complexities. Access to comprehensive health services is essential for families to stay healthy, and often it is the first step to tackling their obesity and nutrition challenges. Once in our doors, patients encounter a support network of promotores, providers, educators, and counselors, ready to help people of all ages take control of their health and engage in healthy lifestyle activities.
Sadly, a significant portion of La Clínica’s adult patients suffer from chronic illnesses related to poor nutrition and lack of exercise. In response, La Clínica has launched several initiatives to support patients in achieving healthier lifestyles, such as aerobics classes, stress reduction groups, and a support group targeting diabetics, called the Club de Pacientes, the Patient’s Club. For example, José and Marina, featured in Comer Bien’s Vignette 3: Eating Well, are two former participants of this program who were able to control their diabetes and overweight problems. Patients are educated and empowered to develop disease-management strategies and adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Through peer-led fitness and nutrition classes and one-on-one counseling sessions completely in Spanish, the Club de Pacientes helps dozens of Latinos each year control their diabetes. Over the last year, 89% of the participating diabetic patients reduced their A1C levels overall, while 66% reduced their levels by a whole percentage point.
The path toward healthy nutrition is a challenging yet rewarding one. La Clínica’s holistic model engages providers, health educators, and medical case managers in tracking patients’ health and adapting treatment to fit their health and wellness needs. This guarantees that children have the resources they need for a healthier future and that parents like Rosa and grandparents like José and Marina know how to adopt healthy choices into their routines. By providing services that are culturally appropriate and recognizing the barriers that Latinos face, we are able to help nourish Latino children and teach the whole family how to eat well, comer bien.
To find out whether you, a family member, friend, or neighbor qualifies for the WIC program mentioned in this video and blog, ask your trusted health care provider for more information or visit the USDA website to locate your state agency’s toll-free hotline.